Categories “increased tendency to fantasy” and “increased suggestibility” in the context of the legal assessment of the testimony of minor victims in cases of sexual violence

Context and relevance. Actual issues related to improper assessment and interpretation by the consequence of the conclusions of an expert-psychologist about the absence of an “increased tendency to fantasy” and “increased suggestibility” among minor victims in cases of sexual violence are considered by authors based on the results of an original study. Objective. To determine the categories "increased tendency to fantasy" and "increased suggestibility", the peculiarities of their perception by law enforcement officials at different stages of the investigation of crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom of minors, and ways to prevent misinterpretation of the results of forensic psychological and complex psychological and psychiatric examination. Methods and materials. The study involved 800 investigators (36% have experience up to 3 years, 64% — more than 5 years) and 240 psychologists of socio- psychological centers of regions of Russia. The materials of expert and judicial practice (48 court verdicts) were also used. Results. The results showed a mechanism for creating artificial evidence in the investigation of crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom of personality. The content of the categories “increased tendency to fantasy” and “increased suggestibility” and their comprehension by employees of the preliminary investigation in the context of the legal assessment of minors' testimony are disclosed.

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